Chapter 11: The Real Vows
The ceremony resumed not with rehearsed lines from a template, but with truth stripped bare.
James took Rebecca’s hands, looking deeply into her eyes. "Rebecca, you walked through fire to protect a child who was not your own, and you bore the burden of a truth that could have broken you. You showed me what real honor looks like. I vow to stand as your fortress, your partner, and your home, from this day forward."
May you like
Tears spilled over Rebecca's lashes, but they were no longer tears of fear. "James, I entered your life to fulfill a promise to a dying woman, but I stayed because I found a man of unmatched grace and goodness. I promise to love you, cherish Lily, and build a future where we never have to hide from the light again."
When the minister pronounced them husband and wife, the applause that echoed through the chapel was deafening, fueled by awe and deep respect.
